Leverage Bar for Manipulating Formwork Panels

ABSTRACT

A leverage bar for manipulating formwork panels is used to provide a mechanical advantage for aligning heavy formwork panels before clamping. A pin support plate is connected to one end of an elongated bar. A pair of cylindrical pins is connected to the pin support plate, and a third pin is connected to the elongated bar opposite the first and second pin. The pins are inserted into pre-existing holes in the formwork panels and torque is applied to the elongated bar by a worker at the end opposite the pins in order to leverage the panels into place.

The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 61/837,581 filed on Jun. 20, 2013.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to construction. More particularly, the present invention relates to manipulating formwork paneling.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Formwork is an integral ancillary aspect of civil engineering. Formwork generally comprises a die or a mold that is used to shape and support fluid concrete forming the supporting structures of a building. Formwork panels are available in several types including:

-   -   Timber (economical, lightweight, able to retain nails, design         flexible)     -   Plywood (typically used in conjunction with timber formwork)     -   Steel (strong/durable, long service life, reusable many times,         quick installation/dismantling processes, non-absorbent)     -   Aluminum (lightweight, reusable)     -   Plastic (allows greater freedom of design, reusable many times,         lightweight)

Additionally, formwork is available in different types such as:

-   -   Traditional (form panels joined together)     -   Climbing (manual or crane assisted formwork that is raised as         vertical construction progresses)     -   Sliding (hydraulically movable molds)     -   Permanent (formwork remains as an integral part of the completed         structure)         The construction process generally involves the alignment and         clamping of formwork panels prior to the pouring of concrete.         This is often a difficult task for laborers as each individual         formwork panel can potentially weigh up to 500 pounds, making it         difficult to move individual panels into position. Laborers are         forced to physically manhandle the panels together prior to         alignment and clamping, increasing the possibility of injury         over time. Formwork is typically very expensive and as a result,         stripped formwork is reusable in future projects. Stacking the         formwork panels following disassembly for storage is an arduous         task as well due to the weight of the panels. The present         invention seeks to address the aforementioned issues and provide         users with a safer, more efficient solution to facilitate         formwork processes.

The present invention is a device that aids laborers in processes involving formwork. In its preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises a rectangular bar with a plurality of extruded cylindrical pins located on the end of the bar opposite the handle. The handle is rubberized in order to provide users a more secure grip when using the device. The present invention gives laborers leverage and a mechanical advantage when working with formwork panels and may be used in situations including, but not limited to:

-   -   Moving formwork panels into position tightly together prior to         alignment     -   Finely adjusting the formwork panel positions during end to end         alignment prior to clamping     -   Compensating for uneven terrain/elevation during alignment to         allow clamping     -   Stacking multiple formwork panels on top of one another with all         panels aligned         The present invention is utilized by inserting the extruded         cylindrical pins of the device into circular openings and         rectangular elongated slots that are present on a formwork panel         or along the formwork panel surface. The user then exerts force         through the device to adjust the positioning of the formwork         panel. Once the formwork panel has been moved into the desired         position, the device is removed. The present invention allows a         single user to perform the above functions without difficulty or         large risk of injury.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a left side view of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of the present invention in use to draw framework panels closely together.

FIG. 7 is a top side wireframe view of the present invention in use to draw framework panels closely together.

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of the present invention in use during formwork panel alignment.

FIG. 9 is a top side wireframe view of the present invention in use during formwork panel alignment.

FIG. 10 is an isometric view of the present invention in use to compensate for uneven terrain/elevation during alignment.

FIG. 11 is a front side wireframe view of the present invention in use to compensate for uneven terrain/elevation during alignment.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. The present invention is to be described in detail and is provided in a manner that establishes a thorough understanding of the present invention. There may be aspects of the present invention that may be practiced without the implementation of some features as they are described. It should be understood that some details have not been described in detail in order to not unnecessarily obscure focus of the invention.

The present invention is a device that facilitates formwork manipulation and alignment by providing workers with a mechanical advantage for manipulating heavy formwork panels. Referring to FIGS. 1-5, the present invention generally comprises an elongated bar 1, a pin support plate, a first pin 3, a second pin 4, and a third pin 5. The elongated bar 1 is of sufficient length that the user may gain significant leverage and mechanical advantage when utilizing the device to position formwork panels. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the elongated bar 1 is four feet in length, but the elongated bar 1 may be shorter or longer as desired. Various lengths may be desired for various applications, such as a longer shaft for situations where a formwork panel is out of reach of the user, or a shorter shaft for working in tight spaces. In the preferred embodiment, the elongated bar 1 is made of lightweight steel, is hollow and has a rectangular cross section. However, the elongated bar 1 should not be limited to these aspects, and may be made of any other material which is strong enough to withstand banding moments associated with manipulating formwork panels and light enough for a user to use comfortable. Additionally, the elongated bar 1 may be solid, and the cross section may be a shape other than rectangular, such as, but not limited to, circular, ovular or triangular, as desired. The elongated bar 1 comprises a first end 11 and a second end 12, which are positioned opposite each other along the elongated bar 1.

The pin support plate 2 is a piece of material connected to the elongated bar 1 adjacent to the first end 11 which supports pins that are used in the process of manipulating formwork panels. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pin support plate 2 is flat, rectangular and made of strong but lightweight steel or another metal. In alternate embodiments, the pin support plate 2 may have another shape such as, but not limited to, circular or triangular, and may conceivably also be curved, have pin supporting protrusions or other alternate shapes instead of being flat. In the preferred embodiment the pin support plate 2 comprises a first surface 21 and a second surface 22, which are positioned parallel to and opposite each other on the pin support plate 2. The second surface 22 of the pin support plate 2 is connected to the elongated bar 1.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first pin 3, the second pin 4, and the third pin 5 are cylindrical in shape and are made from steel or another strong metal or other strong material. The first pin 3, the second pin 4, and the third pin 5 are sized such that they may be inserted into corresponding circular opening and elongated slots found in formwork panels or along the surfaces of formwork panels. Preferably, the first pin 3, the second pin 4, and the third pin 5 are all oriented perpendicular to the elongated bar 1 and parallel to each other, though it is contemplated that in alternate embodiments of the present invention the first pin 3, the second pin 4, and the third pin 5 may be oriented in different ways in order to increase efficiency or ease of use of the present invention. For example, if the first pin 3 and the second pin 4 are oriented at a slight angle away from the second end 12 of the present invention, while in use the elongated bar 1 would be oriented at the same angle, allowing a worker to grip the handle at knee or waist height instead of a lower height which may be more inconvenient to handle.

The first pin 3 and the second pin 4 are connected to the first surface 21 of the pin support plate 2, and the third pin 5 is connected to the elongated bar 1 adjacent to the first end 11. The first pin 3 and the second pin 4 are positioned opposite each other on the pin support plate 2. The third pin 5 is positioned opposite the pin support plate 2 on the elongated bar 1. Preferably, the first pin 3, the second pin 4, and the third pin 5 are aligned with each other such that the central axes of the first pin 3, the second pin 4, and the third pin 5 lie in a plane which is perpendicular to the elongated bar 1 and the pin support plate 2. It is contemplated that in an alternate embodiment the pins are reversed, with first pin 3 and the second pin 4 being connected to the second surface 22 of the pin support plate 2 and symmetric about the elongated bar 1, while the third pin 5 is connected to the first surface 21 of the pin support plate 2.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention additionally comprised a rubberized handle 6 that is connected to the elongated bar 1 at the second end 12. Preferably, the rubberized handle 6 is a rubber sleeve connected around the elongated bar 1 at the second end 12. The rubberized handle 6 is present in order to provide the user with a secure grip on the bar which is an improvement over gripping the steel of the elongated bar 1 for manipulating the present invention. Additionally, in the preferred embodiment the first end 11 of the elongated bar 1 is tapered. This is to provide a means of separating formwork panels from each other by inserting the (tapered) first end 11 of the present invention between the formwork panels and subsequently prying apart the formwork panels.

The present invention is not limited with respect to material, but should be composed of material of appropriate strength and weight, as discussed earlier. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the present invention is composed of mild (plain-carbon) steel. All components of the present invention are composed of mild steel with the exception of the rubberized handle 6 present at the second end 12 of the elongated bar 1. Furthermore, it is understood that alternative embodiments of the present invention may incorporate varying designs as well as material composition of the device. Additional features that may be comprised in alternate embodiments, but not in the preferred embodiment, include the elongated bar 1 being adjustable in length, and the pins being removable or replaceable.

In its preferred embodiment, the present invention has applications in formwork processes that require laborers to manually position formwork panels. The present invention is capable of performing various functions including, but not limited to, the following:

-   -   1) Moving formwork panels into position tightly together prior         to alignment (depicted in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7)     -   2) Finely adjusting the formwork panel positions during end to         end alignment prior to clamping (depicted in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9)     -   3) Compensating for uneven terrain/elevation during alignment to         allow clamping (depicted in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11)     -   4) Stacking multiple formwork panels on top of one another with         all panels aligned (similar to FIGS. 6-9, but in stacked         configuration)

As shown in FIGS. 6-11, the present invention is primarily used by inserting the extruded cylindrical pins of the device into corresponding circular openings and rectangular elongated slots found on formwork panels or along the surfaces of the formwork panels. The user then applies torque in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, utilizing the device for leverage to move the formwork panels. This allows the user to adjust the positioning of formwork panels into the desired locations without difficulty and at a reduced risk of injury. In general, the first pin 3 and the second pin 4 are used to align formwork panels that are horizontally adjacent to each other, while the third pin 5 is used to align panels that are stacked on top of each other. The present invention provides a safer, more efficient means of adjusting the positioning of formwork panels that can potentially weigh up to 500 pounds each.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A leverage bar for manipulating formwork panels comprises: an elongated bar comprising a first end and a second end; a pin support plate comprising a first surface and a second surface; a first pin, a second pin, and a third pin; the first end and the second end being positioned opposite each other along the elongated bar; the first surface and the second surface being positioned parallel to and opposite each other on the pin support plate; the pin support plate being connected to the elongated bar adjacent to the first end; the first pin and the second pin being connected to the pin support plate; the third pin being connected to the elongated bar;
 2. The leverage bar for manipulating formwork panels as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the first pin, the second pin, and the third pin being cylindrical in shape;
 3. The leverage bar for manipulating formwork panels as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the first pin, the second pin, and the third pin being oriented perpendicular to the elongated bar;
 4. The leverage bar for manipulating formwork panels as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the first pin and the second pin being connected to the first surface of the pin support plate;
 5. The leverage bar for manipulating formwork panels as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the first pin and the second pin being positioned opposite each other on the pin support plate;
 6. The leverage bar for manipulating formwork panels as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the third pin being connected to the elongated bar adjacent to the first end;
 7. The leverage bar for manipulating formwork panels as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the third pin being positioned opposite the pin support plate on the elongated bar;
 8. The leverage bar for manipulating formwork panels as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the second surface of the pin support plate being connected to the elongated bar;
 9. The leverage bar for manipulating formwork panels as claimed in claim 1 comprises: a rubberized handle; the rubberized handle being connected to the elongated bar at the second end;
 10. The leverage bar for manipulating formwork panels as claimed in claim 9 comprises: the rubberized handle being a rubber sleeve connected around the elongated bar at the second end;
 11. The leverage bar for manipulating formwork panels as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the first end of the elongated bar being tapered; 